E87 1 Series - flawed and uninvolving drive??

[ghibbett]

Well that's what Autocar reckon of the current/old 1 Series in their new 1 Series first drive: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/BM...

Interestingly, after a 3 second search on their own website, I found the following statments from their E87 first drives / full reviews:

Autocar originally said said:

"Desirable entry-level BMW is superb dynamically and its 120d engine is a real cracker"

and another pre U-turn statement said:

"BMW aimed to set new standards with this car’s handling – it has succeeded. The steered wheels are unencumbered by drive, ruling out torquesteer, and weight distribution is near-perfect at 51:49 front-to-rear (the 116i is nearer 50:50)."

"At low speeds the hydraulic power steering’s heaviness is a surprise, but pick up speed and it’s fluid, perfectly weighted and quick. Combine this with excellent body control and you have a car with real eagerness to change direction."

So I guess this is just a bit of a rant really. Either way, what does everyone else think regarding the current 1 Series handling, the new 1 Series styling, and whether Autocar have lost the plot?



Oh, and for the record, my views having owned an E87 1 Series (130i) was that it was a brilliant car, defined by both the engine and its handling.
And finally I also think these days that Autocar is a pile of st.

[AB]

ghibbett said:

So I guess this is just a bit of a rant really. Either way, what does everyone else think regarding the current 1 Series handling, the new 1 Series styling, and whether Autocar have lost the plot?



Oh, and for the record, my views having owned an E87 1 Series (130i) was that it was a brilliant car, defined by both the engine and its handling.
And finally I also think these days that Autocar is a pile of st.

Pretty much hit the nail on the head.

[Gruber]

I agree with you.

Mine is "only" a 118d and it is just about to be chopped in for an e92 M3, but I have been very impressed and very pleasantly surprised at how much fun the little 1er has been to drive. Great chassis.

We took it up to the west coast of Scotland for a week's holiday a couple of months ago and I spent some time flinging it around country roads: it was a delight, and streets ahead of its direct peers (most of which I test-drove before buying 1 series).

[swanny71]

I changed from an e90 M3 to a 130i and remain impressed with the baby BMW. Not sure what Autocar are on about either - really good to drive, solid build quality (even at 57k miles) and I much prefer the styling compared to the new 1 series.

[gizlaroc]

swanny71 said:

I changed from an e90 M3 to a 130i and remain impressed with the baby BMW. Not sure what Autocar are on about either - really good to drive, solid build quality (even at 57k miles) and I much prefer the styling compared to the new 1 series.

I had a 120d M-Sport for 2 years, longest I have kept a car, while I had that we also had a 535d touring, 335i touring, S4 avant and the CSL, and when we swapped the 120d we bought a 123d.

It is an absolute corker and Autocar just make themselves look like idiots when they say things like that.